Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 251: The Absolution Guild

Alarmed glances and anxious murmurs took flight among those gathered while prominent figures such as Cassius, Vaerythos, Zerbst, Ignatius, and members of the courtiers frowned with troubled expressions.

Lumielle stepped forward, jade-green eyes gleaming. "I do not stand before you as a frightened girl, nor as a grieving daughter—but as the princess of Lunarel, sworn to protect her people. I beseech you, all of you, to join me in rooting out this corruption. Help me expel the Mhaledictus from our midst and restore honor and stability to our kingdom."

Her voice rang clear with conviction. "Let us not allow these vipers to sully what generations have built. Let the Arcanium Kingdom shine again, free from fear, free from manipulation. Stand with me—not in silence, but in action."

She lowered her head respectfully, then lifted it again with quiet strength in her eyes. "For the king. For the realm. For our future."

For a moment, there was but silence. Then nervous muttering rippled through the crowd like a rising tide. A few voices stood out, their whispers barely restrained.

"Did you hear that? She thinks the Mhaledictus are here... in the palace? Spirits preserve us."

"So, it's true then? The king didn't fall ill by natural cause? No wonder he's been bedridden for so long."

"I thought it odd how Lord Caervan's behavior changed so abruptly last month... do you think he's one of them?"

"Shhh, don't say names aloud! If they've really infiltrated the court, anyone could be listening."

"If the princess is right, and they're already converting members of the nobility—gods, what if we're next?"

Cassius took a measured step forward as tensions continued to mount. "Your Highness, these are... grave accusations. If what you say is true, it would mean treason has already seeped into the very heart of our kingdom."

He lifted his chin, his gaze slightly accusatory. "But surely, you understand the weight of such claims. Do you have evidence to support them? Or are we to act on fear alone?"

Vaerythos folded his arms. "Frankly, I've heard enough of this madness," he scoffed. "Criminal syndicates infiltrating the palace? The king being drugged under our noses? These sound more like the ravings of conspiracy theorists than royal decree."

"I fear this is a case of mounting pressure breaking even the strongest minds," Ignatius said with pity. "The looming war, the strain on our coffers, our bedridden king... it would rattle anyone. But to see the princess descend into delusion is... heartbreaking."

"This kind of fearmongering isn't healthy for the realm, not now," said Varrick. "We need unity, not suspicion. Stirring panic amongst the court could do more harm than the enemies beyond our borders."

"Or perhaps this is a well-crafted performance," Sylas interjected dryly, his eyes narrowed. "What if she is the one with ties to the Mhaledictus? Spinning tales to turn us against one another so their infiltration finishes quietly while we argue?"

"If we start tearing each other apart over shadows, we'll do the enemy's work for them," Evander argued. "We must tread carefully or we risk handing over the realm by our own hands."

The hall fell into a chorus of murmurs again, louder now—accusations and defenses clashing like unseen swords as all eyes turned back to Lumielle.

"Curious," she said softly, "that not a single one of you dared to acknowledge the possibility that I might be telling the truth."

She let her words hang in the air a moment longer before continuing. "Is it because you've already chosen your side? Or are you simply afraid?"

Her voice sharpened, slicing through the silence. "Those who've already conformed will never permit the truth to breathe. And those who are being courted by the Mhaledictus now dare not lift their voices, lest they be marked a target.